Manchester City’s incredible depth and quality continue to be reflected in their monthly awards, with three standout performers — Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, and Phil Foden — emerging as frontrunners for the Manchester City Player of the Month for September 2025.
The award, which recognises the club’s most exceptional player across all competitions each month, highlights consistency, impact, and influence on the team’s overall success.
After an impressive start to the season, new signing Tijjani Reijnders dominated August, immediately endearing himself to the Etihad faithful. The Dutch midfielder, who joined from AC Milan, was instrumental in City’s early momentum.
His debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers produced a commanding man-of-the-match performance that set the tone for his early career in Manchester. His seamless integration into Pep Guardiola’s side earned him the Manchester City Player of the Month for August, a feat that underscored his technical brilliance and adaptability.
However, as September unfolded, the dynamics within City’s squad shifted. Reijnders, while still reliable, could not replicate his August brilliance, paving the way for other stars to shine. The competition for the September accolade has therefore intensified, with Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, and Phil Foden producing stellar performances that have defined Manchester City’s rhythm both in the Premier League and Europe.
In this detailed analysis, we examine how the Norwegian goal machine, the Belgian speedster, and the English midfield maestro performed during a defining month in Manchester City’s campaign.
Jeremy Doku’s Performances in September
Without question, Jeremy Doku has been one of Manchester City’s most electrifying players in recent weeks. Since returning from international duty, the Belgian winger has displayed consistency, creativity, and confidence that have made him indispensable to Pep Guardiola’s tactical setup. If he were to claim the Manchester City Player of the Month for September, it would be a thoroughly deserved recognition of his contributions across competitions.
City’s first major test in September came in the high-octane Manchester Derby against local rivals Manchester United — a fixture that once again showcased Doku’s immense talent. City cruised to a 3-0 victory, and Doku emerged as the architect of the win.
He was involved in two of the goals, delivering two exquisite assists. His quick footwork and intelligent movement opened up spaces on the flanks, leading to an assist for Phil Foden’s opener and another perfectly timed delivery for Erling Haaland to double City’s lead.
This display underlined Doku’s growing maturity and composure under pressure. His directness and dribbling caused United’s defence endless problems, a hallmark of Guardiola’s evolving attacking strategy that now leans more on wing play and speed transitions.
In Europe, Doku continued to sparkle. During City’s UEFA Champions League clash against Napoli, the Belgian added a crucial goal, sealing a 2-0 victory. His strike — a well-taken finish following Haaland’s opener — not only secured all three points but also reflected the trust Guardiola has placed in him to deliver on the continental stage.
Against Arsenal at the Emirates, Doku remained lively, helping City secure a 1-1 draw in a tightly contested encounter. His pace on the counterattack stretched Arsenal’s defensive line, forcing them into errors and providing constant outlets for City’s midfielders.
He capped off his month with another brilliant creative display in the 5-1 demolition of Burnley, where he provided a third assist of the month.
In summary, Jeremy Doku’s September statistics speak volumes: three assists and one goal in four matches, combining flair with end product. His seamless adaptation to City’s system and growing chemistry with Haaland and Foden make him a leading contender for the Manchester City Player of the Month for September.
Phil Foden’s Performances in September
Few players in England combine youthful exuberance and tactical intelligence quite like Phil Foden. The 25-year-old midfielder continues to evolve into a complete playmaker under Guardiola, and September was another month where his contributions proved decisive.
After a series of injury concerns in previous campaign, Foden appears fully fit and in prime condition. His sharpness, creativity, and movement between the lines have returned, helping City maintain their fluid attacking style.
In the Manchester Derby, Foden delivered yet another reminder of his big-game temperament. The Stockport-born star was everywhere — orchestrating transitions, pressing with intensity, and breaking into the box with perfect timing. His goal, a well-directed header from a Jeremy Doku cross, opened the scoring and tilted momentum firmly in City’s favour.
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Foden’s influence extended beyond domestic competition. In the Champions League fixture against Napoli, he once again proved instrumental, unlocking Antonio Conte’s disciplined defensive setup with a moment of brilliance. His clever flicked pass found Erling Haaland, who converted clinically to give City the lead.
This assist epitomised Foden’s vision and creativity — hallmarks that have become synonymous with his style. Guardiola has long praised Foden’s versatility, and September’s performances reinforced his ability to thrive across multiple positions, whether deployed centrally or wide on the right.
City’s domestic cup run also benefitted from Foden’s brilliance. In the Carabao Cup third-round victory over Huddersfield Town, he showcased his influence yet again, scoring once and assisting another in a comfortable 2-0 win.
Over the course of five appearances in September, Foden registered two goals and two assists, a testament to his well-rounded attacking output. His ability to dictate play and maintain composure under pressure has been pivotal in keeping City competitive across all fronts.
Therefore, if Foden clinches the Manchester City Player of the Month for September, it would be a fitting recognition for a player whose influence continues to expand both on and off the pitch. Also, his resurgence in form bodes well for England ahead of the upcoming international fixtures.
Erling Haaland’s Performances in September
When it comes to goalscoring consistency, few players in world football can rival Erling Haaland. September once again demonstrated why the Norwegian striker remains City’s most lethal weapon in attack. Every game he played during the month ended with his name on the scoresheet, reaffirming his reputation as one of football’s most efficient finishers.
Haaland began the month with a brace against Manchester United, showcasing his trademark composure and precision inside the box. His movement off the ball dismantled United’s backline. It was a performance that reminded everyone of his relentless hunger for goals and his ability to thrive in high-pressure fixtures.
In the Champions League clash with Napoli, Haaland was once again decisive, breaking the deadlock with a thunderous finish that set the tone for City’s 2-0 win. His partnership with Foden and Doku flourished throughout the game, as City’s front line repeatedly carved open Napoli’s defence with their pace and precision.
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Next came the trip to the Emirates Stadium, where Haaland continued his scoring streak by putting City ahead against Arsenal. His ability to find space against a compact defence once again highlighted his intelligence and instinct. Even in tightly contested matches, Haaland has developed a knack for delivering crucial goals that swing momentum in City’s favour.
The month culminated with a dominant display against Burnley. Haaland netted two late goals to cap off another five-star team performance, while also turning provider — assisting one of City’s strikes in the emphatic 5-1 victory.
Across September, Haaland accumulated seven goal contributions — six goals and one assist — underlining not only his scoring prowess but also his growing involvement in build-up play. Guardiola’s emphasis on a more collaborative attacking unit has seen Haaland adapt, often dropping deeper to link up with midfielders and even tracking back to support defensive transitions.
Such all-round development has elevated Haaland’s profile beyond just being a goal machine. His consistent performances in September make him arguably the leading favourite to secure the Manchester City Player of the Month for September.
Who Deserves the Award?
Choosing a single standout from this trio is no easy task. Jeremy Doku dazzled with creativity and pace, Phil Foden combined intelligence with end product, and Erling Haaland maintained his relentless goalscoring form. Each player played a crucial role in keeping City unbeaten across competitions during September.
For many fans, Haaland’s sheer consistency and volume of goals could tip the scales. However, Doku’s emergence as a reliable playmaker and Foden’s creative leadership make this one of the closest Manchester City Player of the Month races in recent memory.
